I remember reading something like that a few months ago Does any one have a link to that post or know how to clean 2k MAF? I'd buy a new one but I'd like to try to clean it before that to see if that makes any difference. I couldn't find a screw bit for it (6-sided star with a hole in the middle). I tried to sand down the middle extrusion with a drill bit but no go. I guess Nissan doesn't want people taking that thing apart. Any lead would be greatly appreciated.

 

You should be able to pick up the torque star security bit from any hardware/auto part store.

To clean the MAF:

1)Remove the star screw.
2)Remove the MAF
3)Using a Q-Tip and (rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner or electric equipment cleaner or etc) gently wipe down the wire that looks like a light bulb filament.
4)Put MAF back in.
5)If you have an error code, clear the code by resetting.

 

Sweet, thanks. I've been to a hardware store, an auto parts store, and radioshack and none of them had that security bit. I guess I'll keep looking.

 

I just got them at Sears for 9.99

 

I just ttried to remove MAF sensor but i can't
it has 2 screws on each side right? i unscrew these, but i cannot remove sensor... any help?

 

I was curious so I took my old MAF (new one is in my car) and tried to take the sensor out. I didn't have a torque star, so I took a wrench and squeezed the bolts, they came out easily, with no damage. You will just have to take out the tube to get easy access. I found it actualy harder to pull the sensor out of the tube.

 

can i just pull the sensor from the tube? will i damage anything? i tried to pull pretty hard, but it didn't come out. i don't wanna pull TOO hard ;-) i don't want to reme whole tube .. (too many screws hehe)

 

The sensor has an O-ring. Wiggle it back and forth (like turning a door ****) then carefully pull it straight out (you don't want the sensor on the side facing the firewall to hit the rim).

 

It might be easier to access if you take the MAF off the airbox so you can get easier acces to it. In order to get the sensor out of the tub. I had to pry it with a flathead. Be careful not to damage it though. The reason why it is hard to come out is because there is an O ring and it's a really tight fit. Good luck!

 

what if you just remove the maf's tube and spray the cleaner throught he mesh then air dry it?

 

I've done that on a 95 Explorer and it works too. Problem is, the wire does not hang down like it does on Ford cars and trucks. The wire is pressed against the back of a plastic plate and I believe it faces the opposite direction though I have never looked.

 

god you guys are playing with fire. I woudlnt reccomend cleaning it with anything wet. Also, just remove the 2 screws and twist/yank that MAF out. no need to unbolt anything. Again dont use anything wet.

 

Why? Before you start shouting "the sky is falling" you need proof.

 

how about my 5th maf sensor for you. I know what makes them blow up, i know how to treat them. I reccomend AGAINST cleaning a 2002/2003 Nissan Maxima MAF sensor. Do whatever you want with it, but the thing is so sensitive i would be afraid to look at it. Also that outside element is a temperature sensor. The airlfow sensor is actually inside the thing you pull out. But whatever. Clean it, you might get good results, or a 500 dollar bill. For a 2000/2001 theyre pretty durable and trouble free so thoes ones might tolerate cleaning.

 

What makes them blow?

 

moisture, even the slightest bit will blow your maf

 

So does the air filter clean moisture in the air, preventing it from blowing?

 

I would add that using brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol will not produce moisture.

 

thats correct, just make sure when using rubbing alcohol it is at a minimum 80% isopropyl. I used 60% isopropyl alcohol and i F'ed myself and blew my maf instantly. but i get new mafs for 2k - 2k1's for 80 bucks anyway housing and all.

 

Good point. Someone on here mentioned filling a plastic bag with rubbing alcohol and soaking the MAF, which I don't think is a good idea at all. (was that you?)

I have always used brake cleaner and q-tip and just cleaned the filament (thicker part of the wire) by spraying the q-tip, wiping excess off q-tip, then rubbing MAF with q-tip to remove dirt/oil.

 

What exactly does the gold color mesh material do that is located by the box that holds the air filter?
2k and 2k1s'?

 

It straightens the incoming air and makes it less turbulent for the MAF sensor. Someone posted a link to a site the other day where someone thought removing it would be a performance gain, but it wasn't.

 

why are you guys cleaning your MAF anyways?

 

werd. i don't get why you guys think that the MAF is dirty to the extent where if you thought you cleaned it there would be a performance difference. i wouldn't mess with that type of electrical component in my car, no matter how durable the 2k-2k1 MAF is.

your better off cleaning the TB

 

y not just go to radio shack and buy an electronic parts cleaner? i mean the stuff was made for cleaning sensitive parts.

 

Well, I went to the Sears, and surprise, they did have the security torx screw bits but only as a part of a large set. Didn't feel like forking over 30 bucks so I just got a vise grip. The screws came out pretty easily and had to wrestle with the sensor to get it out - the O ring. I took a good look at the "filament" It didn't look like a filament to me, more like a pin. Also, it didn't look sensitive at all. I could apply pressure to the "pin" and the thing was solid. Anyways, I cleaned it using the instruction provided below - it looked really clean to start with - and didn't feel any difference. Maybe it wasn't the MAF after all. I think I'm gonna order a new MAF just incase and try it out. Thanks all for your help.